Velocipede



Oct. 28, 1-947. cfE. scoLEs VELOGIPEDE Filed 001'.. 25, 1944 v ZSheets-Sheet 1 Cha/"Zes 'SiwZes.

1 Oct'. z8, 1947.

c. E. sc'oLEs VELOCIPEDE Filed Oct. 26, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 28, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VELOCIPEDE Charles E. Scoles, Columbus, Ohio Application October 26; 1944, Serial No. 560,398

i This invention relates to velocipedes, having particular reference to toy velocipedes of the type embodying a wheeled base formed with a propelling axle, the base effecting the support of an oscillatory rider-seating structure, whereby through rocking motion of the structure, imparted by the manual efforts of the rider, rotary vmotion is imparted to the propelling axle and its impart propelling motion to at least one set of y the frame-carried wheels.

While velocipedes of this general character have been proposed in the prior art, yet, nevertheless, their use and public acceptance have been restricted. It'isbelieved that this situation is attributable ini most 'part' to' the structural' complexity, relatively high cost and inferior mechanical designs ofthe apparatus heretofore proposed. In the construction of such velocipedes, it is deemed to be a matter of prime importance to provide between their wheeled base 'frames and 4theioscillatory rider-structure a proper form of pivotal union which will provide for ready rocking motion on the part of the seating structure, one which will be stable when the weight of the rider is imposed thereon and at the same time simple, practical and eicient in construction.

` Therefore, it is a particular object of the present invention to provide in a velocipede of the type set forth a novel system of link members for fulfilling this necessity and wherein the link members comprise crossed pairs which at their upper I ends are pivotally connected with the seating structure and at their lower ends with the wheeled Y base frame.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of improved means for steering the vehicle and in other means for transmitting the motion of the rockable seating structure to the propelling axle of the vehicle.

For a, further understanding of the invention, reference is to be had to the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a velocipede formed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional View taken on 1 claim. (cl. 28o- 1.19)

the plane indicated by the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, disclosing in plan the construction ofthe wheeled base frame;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the base frame, the seating structure supporting link members and the front wheel steering mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse sectional View on the line 4-4 of Fig. l; f

Fig. 5 is a similar View on the line 5--5 of Fig. 2.

Referring more particularly to the drawings,the numeral ID designates the wheeled base frame of my improved velocipede. In the present instance, this frame comprises a pair of longitudinally extending bars I I which are bent or otherwise fashioned to provide relatively elevated intermediate portions I2 and downwardly and outwardly bent end portions I3. These end portions are bolted or otherwise secured to front and rear axles I4 and I5, respectively.

Bolted to the intermediate portions I2 of the frarne bars are ear members or brackets I6, and pivotally connected, as at Il, to the latter are the lower ends of spaced pairs of link members I8. A crossed pair of these members is arranged immediately above each of the bars Il and the upper ends ofthe same are pivotally connected as at I9 to brackets 20 secured to the under part of the oscillatory rider-seating structure 2I. By way of illustration, this structure may be in the form of a hobbyhorse, although it will be understood that such design is optional and may be greatly varied. The pivots Il and I9 are arranged in vertical registration and in the center of gravity of the velocipede, so that the seating structure may be readily oscillated by the rider and at the same time the structure will be strong, stable and relatively inexpensive to produce.

The rear axle I5, which in this instance is the propelling axle of the vehicle, has a set of rear wheels 22 xed to the ends thereof for rotation in unison with said rear axle. The center of said axle is formed with a crank 23 which is detachably connected with the lower end of a connectying rod 24, the upper end of said rod being pivot- In order that the rider may steer the vehicle, the front axle I4 carries bell crank levers 26. Each of these levers includes a wheel spindle 21 for the rotatable reception of one of a pair of front wheels 28. The levers 26 are pivoted as at 29 on the outer ends of the front axle I4, and the rearwardly extending portions of said levers are pivotally connected as at 30 with a steering bar 3|, the latter extending parallel to the front axle and immediately to the rear thereof.

The center of the bar 3l includes a forwardly projecting tongue 32 which carries a fixed stud base frame, an oscillatory rider-seating structure 33, the latter being slidably received in an elongated slot 34 provided in the rearwardly directed extension 35 of a turnable bracket 36. This bracket is pivotally mounted as at-.Sl on the center of the front axle I4, the said bracket being formed with a pair of upstanding ears 38 to which are pivoted, as at 39, the forward ends of a pair of bar members 40. At their rear ends, .the bar members are united with a universal joint f4| .andfconnected with one of the coupling members of this joint is an upwardly directed rod 42. fllhe upper end of the .rod .42 is also united with asecond universal joint 43 which i-s arranged in the lower part of theseating structure 2 I. From fthe joint `43, a second ,rod 44 .extends upwardly and is journaled for rotation in the seating structure, 'the extreme upper'end of the rod 44 being joined-with a transversely extending horizontally disposed cross handle 45 which is adapted to be `grasped bythe rider-of the vehicle.

It vwill be seenlthat :by turning the rod 44, corresponding vmotion-will be imparted to the rod'42, ythe 4 universal `joints 4-I and 43 being utilized to compensate for the rocking motion of the seating structure with respect to the base frame. The rotation of the rods 42 and 44, through the bar members 49, turns the bracketythe latter movying with it'the steering bar .3l and wheel-carrying :fbell cranks 23. The forward portions of the iramexbars II=carr .y adjustable foot rests 46.

' It vwill thus-beseen that 'the present inven- .tionjp-rovides aitoy Veloci-pede'of simple, practical ,andeicient design and one which is devoid of the ystructural .complexity found in many prior art's-tructures. The ,particular advantage which I vconsider `my invention to bear over earlier deivices 'of this .nature is to be found in the arrangement Vof the crossed link members I8. These members allow for easily `-executedand balanced motion of the hobbyhorse, so that the vehicle is unusually stable, embodying high mechanical strength and structural simplicity. It is obvious, however, that various modifications may be made in the construction shown in the drawings and labove particularly described Within the principles and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claim.

I claim:

In a velocipede of `the ycharacter described, a

arranged above said base frame, a front axle stationarily secured to the forward end of said base frame, bell crank levers having wheel spindles pivotally secured to the outer ends of said axle, `said spindles :being formed for the rotatable reception of groundengaging steering wheels, a steering bar pivoted at its ends to said levers, a. bracket pivotally mounted on the intermediate portion ofVv said front axle, said bracket being formed with va rearwardly projecting extension, a -st-udcarried by said steering bar and having the .shank thereof lslidaloly received rin an "elongated 4slot formed f i-n said vbracket extension, a steering rod rotatably Ajournaled in said seating struct-ure, .a second steering rod, -a universaljoint uniting Athe adjoining ends `of said rods, rearwardly extendi-ng bar members pivotally -securedby their .front ends tosaid bracket, and a second universal joint uniting the rear ends of said bar members with the lower end of said secondnamed rod.

lCil-IARLES fSCOLES.

REFERENGES CITED The following `references fare `of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES 'PATENTS Number 

